Clearing out my system disc, any hints?

[louwin]

I backup my system every few days so I like a "lean, mean" system disc.   

Windows Update just downloaded SP3 and overnight my system disc grew about a gigabyte.  I let everything sit as was for a few days now I want to clear out all the **** downloaded by Windows Update.

I got rid of the NtInstall and ServicePackInstall folders but am wondering if there is any other stuff I can get rid of?

Anybody know what the relevance of the various folders in WINDOWS folder?  For instance, "assembly" folder (123Mb), what is in there and is it needed for the running of Windows XP?  Then there is the "ime" folder (86Mb)?

Does anybody know of a list of Windows folders and their relevance to the day to day running of the OS?

I apologise if this has been asked before but I did do searches and didn't find a previous question.

TIA,

louwin

[rejetto]

you would get your answer faster by googling: windows assembly folder
and the like
assembly keeps .net code
ime is for inputing asian languages

[MarkV]

Windows\assembly - most probably the .NET Framework (3.5) got installed, it's over 230MiB alone; ==> \Program Files\Reference Assemblies, partially \Windows\Winsxs, \Windows\Microsoft.NET

\Windows\IME - Input Method Editor, for display and input of Asian and RTL (right-to-left) languages; ==> partially \Windows\Fonts\*.ttc


\Windows\Software Distribution - Area of Windows Update, some may be still cached here


Do you have Restore Points activated? If yes, cleaning out may restore much space.

[freewareking101]

those folders are used for un-installation of the installed updates in your system.
Once deleted, windows might not be able to restore your old setting/patches.

I hope this helps. Cheers!

[SilentPliz]

If you do not serve the hibernation ...

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/windowsxp/articles/495/1/Remove-Hiberfile-to-regain-Space

this will save you some disk space.

[gadstylee]

Those folders are like the installation folders and will be use if you decided to uninstall the patches. I guess MS uses these folders to store all previous settings before you patch it.

[Fysack]

Clearing out my system disc, any hints?

Burn it!!, buy a new one. And dont fucking talk to me about pollution.  or do..